Need a tried-and-true way to beat the Florida heat? Scoop up your kiddos and cool off with a frozen sweet treat! With so many mom-and-pop ice cream shops out there, grabbing a cone or a sundae is a great way to instantly boost your mood. Below are a few of our favorite shops for cool treats, along with a few classic favorites.
Mayday Ice Cream (San Marco, Riverside, Jax Beach, River City in Northside)
Mayday Ice Cream originated in St. Augustine, Florida, and we were delighted when they opened a Jacksonville store where The Hyppo used to be in San Marco. Even better? Check out their newest store located in Jax Beach’s 3rd Street (2400 Third Street S, Unit 202)! Our team recently checked it out, and everyone loved it! This place is heavenly and such a treat for any ice cream lover. All of the waffle cones are made fresh in-house! I have yet to try all of their 24+ flavors, but my favorites for now are Strawberry Fields, Blackberry Earl Grey, Rose White Chocolate, and Denali Postcard!
Pelican’s SnoBalls (Jacksonville Beach)
Where shaved ice meets ice cream! Pelican’s SnoBalls in Jax Beach serves fluffy New Orleans-style shaved ice with over 100 flavors and even more toppings. They are also food allergy friendly and offer dye-free, peanut-free, tree-nut-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options. They’re also open late and offer a few fun games and a chalkboard wall — perfect for letting the kiddos run around!
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice (Jax Beach, San Marco, Mandarin, Durbin, Orange Park, Fleming Island, St. Johns)
I first heard about Jeremiah’s when my local YMCA was giving out free samples. I forgot what flavor I had, but my son and I loved it! We decided to give it a try and checked out the one in Mandarin. They had a long list of different flavors, and it’s a good thing they offer free samples all day long. After our fifth tasting, I settled on the Pina Colada gelato, a mixture of Italian ice and soft serve twirled together for a slice of Heaven in your mouth. My son loves anything mango, so he went for that one. The best part? Jeremiah’s has kid-size gelatis just for your little ones!
Tasty Creamery (Argyle)
Veteran-owned small business located near Sam’s Club and Costco, Tasty Creamery just celebrated its one-year anniversary for its storefront. They serve Hershey’s hand-dipped ice cream. My personal fave is the Dark Chocolate Raspberry!
Peterbrooke Chocolatier (throughout Northeast Florida)
When I think of Peterbrooke, I think of chocolate-covered popcorn and other gourmet chocolate cookies. Apparently, they also offer gelato, which has been a hit among mamas and kiddos alike. We love the free scoop every Wednesday in July. Way to go, Peterbrooke — my son and I truly enjoyed your pistachio-flavored gelato!
The Hyppo (St. Augustine)
Do popsicles count? In my vocabulary, yes — especially if they’re from Hyppo! My son refers to any popsicles he sees as “Hippo!” I have no shame that we eat these gourmet popsicles often. They are so good, and bravo to them for coming up with a kid-size popsicle made perfectly for little hands and little bellies! They only offer Chocolate, Mango, and Strawberry for the kids, but I’m sure those are enough for their tiny palate. I love all of the flavors, so I don’t have a specific favorite, but you can’t go wrong with “Elvis” if you love peanut butter, banana and honey!
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (Atlantic Blvd, Mandarin, Oakleaf)
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream may be a national chain, but I love the one near Oakleaf Plantation! The workers are so nice and cheerful every time we go. My son is obsessed with anything dinosaur, so their Dino ice cream was a natural fit, which just consists of a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream with sprinkles and a dinosaur cookie on top.
More-Than-Honorable Mentions
Here are more ice cream shops in town to check out, and let me know your favorite flavor!
About Time Creamery (throughout Jax): Partner company of Chilled Flavors, this one will travel to you for your ice cream needs! Check out their Facebook to find out where they are for the day.
Birdie’s Ice Cream Sandwiches (throughout Ponte Vedra): You can find Birdie’s mobile ice cream cart at Nocatee Farmer’s Market for a taste of their ice cream sandwiches. Or do a porch pickup! Be sure to follow their Facebook page for more info.
Ben & Jerry’s (Nocatee): Nice to have an actual ice cream shop of a famous ice cream brand! I can just head over there and get a scoop of Chunky Monkey, Half Baked, or my other favorite Phish Food instead of buying a pint from a local grocery. Ben & Jerry’s also offers non-dairy, vegan options.
Cold Stone Creamery (Jax Beach, Ortega, Northside, Fleming Island, Fruit Cove, Yulee): Sometimes a yummy creamery chain just hits the sweet spot.
Conie’s Ice Cream (Fruit Cove): Be sure to check out their Facebook page for the Flavor of the week!
Cookies and Creme (Jacksonville Beach): Jacksonville Beach is just booming with new treat shops! Cookies and Cream specialize in making homemade cookies into ice cream sandwiches.
Cool Eddy’s (Fruit Cove): Gelati, Italian ice, soft serve ice cream, and shakes with unique flavors inspired by Cool Eddy himself.
Dreamette (Murray Hill, San Marco, Springfield, Atlantic Beach, Middleburg, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs): Serving up dreamy ice cream since 1948! Started out at Murray Hill and has expanded all over Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.
Flo’s Premium Ice Cream (Ponte Vedra Beach): Newest ice cream shop in PVB serving 24 homemade ice cream flavors.
Gator Ice Cream (Jacksonville Beach): Located in Seawalk Village, this ice cream shop has about 60 flavors for you to try! All homemade, and they only use fresh and natural ingredients. What’s even better is that they have “adult ice cream” that contains alcohol! So it’s definitely a place for everyone. Check out their website for the full list of flavors, including exotic options like durian, dragon fruit, avocado, passion fruit, and many more!
Hershey’s Ice Cream (Mandarin): I think it’s the ambiance and the sweetest customer service that I love the most about this place. Their ice cream is so good, too! It’s our go-to spot after shopping at Hobby Lobby.
Insomnia Cookies (Southside, Downtown Jax): Sure, it’s a cookie store, but they have ice cream! My mouth is drooling for their “cookiewiches” and guess what? It’s available for local delivery & pickup orders online & in-store.
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream (Jax Beach, San Marco, Ponte Vedra Beach): Both locations can be found inside Foxtail Coffee Co., and be sure to take a pint home with you also.
Kilwins (St. Johns Town Center): Lots of great flavors of traditional ice cream. Bonus: Not feeling a cold treat? Opt for a chocolate-covered apple or homemade fudge instead!
Le Macaron (Avenues Mall): While you’re there for their yummy macarons, check out the French gelatos!
Maggie D’s Ice Cream Parlor (Middleburg): Hand Dipped or Soft Serve Ice Cream. Sundaes, Milkshakes, Floats, Brownie and Waffle Sundaes, oh my!
Malachi’s Ice Cream Bar (Riverside): Not only is the interior design swoon-worthy, but their ice cream also is. They bring the booze to ice cream. This place serves beer and wine, also.
Marble Slab Creamery (San Marco, Southside, Durbin, Yulee, Orange Park): Serving up fresh homemade ice cream since 1983! If you’re looking for Maggie Moo’s ice cream shop at Orange Park Mall, it is now called Marble Slab.
Milkster Nitrogen Creamery (San Marco): Opening soon in a hot spot for ice cream shops. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates on the opening date.
Pink Parlor (St. Johns): A new ice cream place in St. Johns located off Racetrack Road, west of Wawa and the Winn-Dixie Complex. Their Cinnamon Strudel Cake Milkshake sounds delicious, and they also offer Poffertjes, traditional Dutch mini pancakes. Be sure to check out their website or Facebook page for a full menu and list of all of the ice cream flavors. The interior is perfect for those who love all things pink!
Rita’s Italian Ice (Jax Beach, Rivertown, Yulee, Hodges area): Rita’s does it right! Try out the Gelati, Italian Ice, and frozen custard layered together for a unique treat.
Royal Moose Coffee (Middleburg): Drive-thru coffee shop with ice cream also! They have a small outdoor seating area if you would rather not eat your sweet treat in the car.
Screaming Cat Ice Cream & Coffee (Riverside): A new ice cream and coffee shop is opening in the heart of Park & King District in Riverside. Location address is: 2700 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32205. Be sure to follow their Instagram page to find out the latest scoop and their opening date.
Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery (Northside, Mandarin, Pablo Creek area): If you live on the Northside, now you know where to find a cold treat with chocolate-dipped waffle cones along with cakes, cupcakes, macarons and other desserts! Two more stores have opened up since their first one in Northside.
Springfield Scoops (Springfield): A sweet spot in a historic neighborhood. The colorful mural inside the shop is perfect for your insta photos also!
Sweet Pete’s Candy (downtown): This local legend is known for its gourmet chocolate, caramel, and candy, but they also have a full-size ice cream parlor! Be sure to check out their occasional sweet classes, too.
The Icy Spot (throughout Jax): Ice cream truck serving authentic Italian ice. Be sure to check Facebook to find out where they are parked for the day.
The Stout Snug (Murray Hill): Ice cream and a pub with live music in one place? Sounds like a great family outing to us!
The Yard Milkshake Bar (St. Johns Town Center): As seen on Shark Tank, Jacksonville finally gets to taste their specialty milkshakes topped with all the yummy goodness!
Waffle Cone (Riverside): Dairy, sugar, & gluten free options. Check in on their social media pages every day to see if your name has been selected for a free scoop in a waffle cone!
Whit’s Frozen Custard (various locations): Beat the summer heat at any of their convenient stores around town!
Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt (throughout Jax): YOBE Frozen Yogurt, sweetFrog, and Yogurt Mountain.
According to the International Dairy Foods Association, “Ice cream has historically been a key feature of American communities.” So do your part to support your local shop!
Where’s your go-to spot for a cool treat? Comment below!
Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post and is regularly updated.
Try out the Dreamette in Murray Hill/Edgewood. You will NOT be disappointed!
Thanks for the recommendation, Sherri! We’ve been there several times and love Dreamette! This post is a “sequel” to another post, and our team member Kathy Waller included Dreamette in her own post: https://jacksonvillemom.com/food/the-scoop-on-ice-cream-in-jax/
We LOVED MAGIC SWEET HOUSE! However it looks like it didn’t survive the pandemic. It never reopened and has a for lease sign on the building 🙁
Oh no, that makes me sad to hear it closed. Thank you for the heads up, Jessica!
Check out The Dolly Llama in Ponte Vedra for ice-cream , bubble waffles and belgian waffles – next level fabulousness!
We like Scoops in Springfield, so many flavors. Closer to home, we like Hershey’s beside the Stout Snug in MurrayHill. Both Scoops and Hershey’s are hard pack, whereas Dreamette is soft serve.
Loved this roundup of ice cream spots in Jax! Can’t wait to try some of these hidden gems. The recommendations for unique flavors sound amazing! 🍦 Which place is your favorite?